Going Outdoors...Sustainably!

Being a good steward of the earth involves being aware of your place in the environment. What better way to connect to the Earth than to immerse yourself in the outdoors! Being apart of the outdoors is beneficial for many reasons. Outdoor recreation is great for your health, both mental and physical. And it's good for the environment too! National and State parks rely on outdoor excursions which help them to stay protected and free from development. You can helpout by minimizing your personal footprint when going outdoors!

Leave No Trace

To Leave No Trace when you adventure outdoors means that the environment is left the same (if not better!) as before you were there. This keeps the ecosystem consistent and minimizes the impact of humans on nature--which can often be detrimental. To avoid that, try to stick to these 7 principles and learn more:

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Dispose of Waste Properly

Leave What You Find

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Respect Wildlife

Be Considerate of Other Visitors3

SU and the Outdoors:

Outdoor Adventure Recreation (OAR): OAR offers a huge variety of trips all year round from surfing to snowshoeing! Trips focus on raising awareness of the outdoors and the Leave No Trace principles. Trips are all led by SU students who are trained in outdoor recreation and leadership. Learn how you can apply here! This spring's activities will include sailing. climbing, kayaking, a film festival and more. Find the full list of activities here and sign up!

Research at SU:

Dr. Marsolek, Associate Professor Civil Engineering, is part of a team researching the environmental impact of human waste in the region of Mt. Everest base camp. The solution? A high altitude biogas digester using only human waste as the input fuel. This has never been done before! Stay updated with the project and learn more here.

Dr. Efird, Professor Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work, is a 2016-2017 CEJS Faculty fellow. His research project compares environmental learning centers and "nature schools" in Japan, China, and the United States, in order to better understand the kinds of learning experiences that foster sustainability and environmental justice.

Grounds and Landscaping:

There are many ways to connect to nature right here on campus! SU is a designated Wildlife Sanctuary. Countless gardens can be found around campus with their own unique theme. The gorgeous SU landscape is maintained without the use of chemical pesticides. And you can eat the organically-grown fruit, vegetables and herbs in the campus gardens. You can also grow your own food on campus through Food With Spirit, a student-run club. Read more.

Events:

May 6: Neighborhood Community Service Event: Restoration at Frink Park